A New Year, Administration and Congress: Join the AACTE Federal Update Discussion on Jan. 21

By Michael Rose

The events of January 6 shocked the nation. We witnessed a challenge to our democracy that none of us could ever have imagined. 

Just days before, senators and representatives were peacefully sworn in to the 117^th Congress.  On Wednesday, the joint session of the United States Congress was just beginning to count the electoral college votes for president and vice president when rioters stormed into the United States Capital, one of the nation’s most treasured buildings.

Fortunately, order was eventually established, and the joint session continued its work.  This was the final step before Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris are sworn in as the U.S. president and vice president, respectively, on January 20. It also means that Democrats will control the House of Representatives, Senate and White House and give them significant leverage to implement their legislative priorities. 

What does all this mean for AACTE, its members, and the students they work with?

Biden Administration and the 117th Congress: The Significance for AACTE Members

By Michael Rose

Not many of us will shed a tear now that 2020 is behind us. The outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in a long and difficult year for students, families, schools, and colleges. Virtually, no part of our nation (or the world) was untouched. But with the start of 2021, we hope that the worst is behind us. 

The country will see a new congress sworn in on January 3 and, on January 20, Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris will be sworn in as the 46^th president and vice-president of the United States of America. 

Despite 2020 being in our rear-view mirror, the challenges we face due to COVID-19, the related economic collapse, and a politically divided country remain.